The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year has been dedicated as Veterans Day in the United States. It’s the one day a year we set aside to honor those who have and continue to serve in the armed forces. Over time, the thought of going to war has been argued, protested and many times been placed on a level of disdain, yet without our military, where would we be?

In the last year alone, our National Guard has been called on to control crowds of protestors and rioters across our very own country. In a way, that’s kind of ironic, isn’t it. We often need protecion from within, more than the enemies we battle on foreign soil.

When this holiday originated, it was called Armistice Day and marked the end of World War One as November 11, 1918. The war did not officially end until the Treaty of Versailles was signed some seven months later. Obviously this wasn’t the war to end all wars since World War Two followed along with conflicts in Korea, the Middle East and more continue to arise every day over. As long as we inhabit this planet there will be wars and rumors of the same.

Today, for one brief moment, we give honor to those who have served in the military and those who continue to do so. Every time a young man or woman enlists in the service of their country, they are making the ultimate sacrifice – to lay down their life for another. Maybe if we all made this same oath to our fellow man, the world would not have to face wars ever again. I believe that day will come when the ultimate soldier of the cross returns to us.